Southeastern North Carolina Faces Worsening Drought Conditions, Water Preservation Urged

Drought conditions in southeastern North Carolina have worsened, with the tri-county region now experiencing severe to exceptional drought. The U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that 46 out of 100 North Carolina counties are in extreme drought, 31 are severe, and 14 are moderate. Parts of Brunswick County are in the highest exceptional classification, the driest since 1973, with rainfall totals at only 44% of normal. Combined with high heat, reservoirs are below normal, prompting voluntary and mandatory water preservation requests from local utilities.